The highly anticipated album by singer/songwriter/producer George Miller (aka Joji) BALLADS1 has been released. It is the first LP released by Joji and contains twelve tracks, each with their own vibe.
Every time Joji releases some music there’s always some tweaks he’ll make to his music. He’s kept his overall mellow tone throughout his whole musical career, all the way from his work in 2015 with songs he released on SoundCloud to right down to his latest batch.
The style in BALLADS mostly jumps around from the 90’s alt-rock aesthetic of songs “WANTED U” and “WHY AM I STILL IN LA” to the more upbeat albeit cynical (and frankly, kind of creepy) approach such as the likes of “CAN’T GET OVER YOU” and “NO FUN.” He manages to make each approach function adequately although there are some styles he performs a lot better than others.
For example, tracks like “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”, a song that captures a nostalgic vibe still finds a way to sound incredibly appealing with its various types of electronic instruments used to enhance the focal points of the song and features a vocal performance that is incredible for an artist like Joji, who, in the past, has mostly mumbled his way through songs.
However, “TEST DRIVE” sounds all too familiar with a catchy chorus, a beat that does nothing to enhance the song in any way, and is overall just an average pop song.
The album could not evade at least one terrible song. Titled “R.I.P.”, this song starts out like it could be a great song, then after Trippie Redd’s verse he goes into the hook and repeats the whole thing throughout the entire song. It was nauseating to listen to especially since it was coupled with horrible use of autotune and lack of a real beat to put it all together.
However, the shining star of this album is “YEAH RIGHT.” Joji stated in an interview with Highsnobiety he states, “...I’m a naturally conflicted person… so that plays with my beats [when-] ‘cause I love hard hitting drums… but then soft stuff on top.” Nowhere in this album is this more highlighted than this track. From the production, to the lyrics, even how his vocals are slow and deep in contrast to the clubby beat, it’s all forged into this beautiful sounding track. I truly believe that this is the best track off this project.
Songs I recommend are “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”, “WANTED U”, “XNXX”, and “I’LL SEE YOU IN 40.” The only song I would suggest you stay away from is “R.I.P.”
On Joji’s SoundCloud, the song “you suck charlie” was categorized by him as “romance garbage.” That is the perfect way to describe most of his music. BALLADS1 is filled to the brim with sentiment, it’s addictive, and some of it is really easy on the ears. And the entire project is only fine.
As of November 5, BALLADS has landed the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, making him the first artist from Asia to do so, and ranks #3 on the Billboard 200.
I’d give this album a 7 out of 10. He could have executed his new ideas better, but I always enjoy when an artist tries to branch out and try to improve. I can’t wait for his next project.
Every time Joji releases some music there’s always some tweaks he’ll make to his music. He’s kept his overall mellow tone throughout his whole musical career, all the way from his work in 2015 with songs he released on SoundCloud to right down to his latest batch.
The style in BALLADS mostly jumps around from the 90’s alt-rock aesthetic of songs “WANTED U” and “WHY AM I STILL IN LA” to the more upbeat albeit cynical (and frankly, kind of creepy) approach such as the likes of “CAN’T GET OVER YOU” and “NO FUN.” He manages to make each approach function adequately although there are some styles he performs a lot better than others.
For example, tracks like “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”, a song that captures a nostalgic vibe still finds a way to sound incredibly appealing with its various types of electronic instruments used to enhance the focal points of the song and features a vocal performance that is incredible for an artist like Joji, who, in the past, has mostly mumbled his way through songs.
However, “TEST DRIVE” sounds all too familiar with a catchy chorus, a beat that does nothing to enhance the song in any way, and is overall just an average pop song.
The album could not evade at least one terrible song. Titled “R.I.P.”, this song starts out like it could be a great song, then after Trippie Redd’s verse he goes into the hook and repeats the whole thing throughout the entire song. It was nauseating to listen to especially since it was coupled with horrible use of autotune and lack of a real beat to put it all together.
However, the shining star of this album is “YEAH RIGHT.” Joji stated in an interview with Highsnobiety he states, “...I’m a naturally conflicted person… so that plays with my beats [when-] ‘cause I love hard hitting drums… but then soft stuff on top.” Nowhere in this album is this more highlighted than this track. From the production, to the lyrics, even how his vocals are slow and deep in contrast to the clubby beat, it’s all forged into this beautiful sounding track. I truly believe that this is the best track off this project.
Songs I recommend are “SLOW DANCING IN THE DARK”, “WANTED U”, “XNXX”, and “I’LL SEE YOU IN 40.” The only song I would suggest you stay away from is “R.I.P.”
On Joji’s SoundCloud, the song “you suck charlie” was categorized by him as “romance garbage.” That is the perfect way to describe most of his music. BALLADS1 is filled to the brim with sentiment, it’s addictive, and some of it is really easy on the ears. And the entire project is only fine.
As of November 5, BALLADS has landed the #1 spot on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, making him the first artist from Asia to do so, and ranks #3 on the Billboard 200.
I’d give this album a 7 out of 10. He could have executed his new ideas better, but I always enjoy when an artist tries to branch out and try to improve. I can’t wait for his next project.